Patents by Inventor Benedict J. Nardi

Benedict J. Nardi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9651400
    Abstract: Examples of generating power through the flow of water are disclosed. In one example, remote water meter monitoring system includes an energy converter and a sensor. The energy converter is in fluid connectivity with water flowing through a pipe, the energy convertor being driven by a mechanical energy of water flowing through the pipe to convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy for charging a battery connected to the energy converter. The sensor detects a level of a property of the water, the sensor being powered by the battery connected to the energy converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160025514
    Abstract: Examples of generating power through the flow of water are disclosed. In one example, remote water meter monitoring system includes an energy converter and a sensor. The energy converter is in fluid connectivity with water flowing through a pipe, the energy convertor being driven by a mechanical energy of water flowing through the pipe to convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy for charging a battery connected to the energy converter. The sensor detects a level of a property of the water, the sensor being powered by the battery connected to the energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9105181
    Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9057453
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GAS SENTINEL, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 8807523
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Sentinel, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20140110613
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Gas Sentinel LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Jim Witte, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20140061519
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 8567757
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20130113631
    Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Barth R. PITCHFORD, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110284777
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: Fluid Power Controls, Inc., Vectare LLC
    Inventors: Barth Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 5977912
    Abstract: An emitter locator for locating an emitter transmitting an emitter signal includes a plurality of scatters and a base station. The plurality of scatterers are located at predetermined positions, where each scatterer includes a modulator configured to modulate an electrical signal on an antenna and configured to receive emitter signal and to modulate the emitter signal to generate a scattered signal. The base station is configured to receive a composite signal containing the emitter signal and a plurality of the scattered signals, where the base station includes a processor configured to separate the scattered signals from the composite signal and to identify relative power levels of the scattered signals to determine a location of the emitter. Advantages of the invention include the ability to locate emitters in an efficient and cost effective manner by using scatterers and a base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Watkins-Johnson Company
    Inventor: Benedict J. Nardi
  • Patent number: 5341110
    Abstract: A phase-locking oscillator circuit having improved phase noise characteristics is disclosed herein. The oscillator circuit includes a tuned oscillator for providing a carrier signal at a tunable carrier frequency. The carrier signal is applied to an input port of a phase modulator operative to impress an RF signal upon output terminal. An error detection and feedback network generates an error signal by comparing a predefined characteristic of the RF output signal to a reference signal. The network includes a loop filter arrangement which operates upon the error signal so as to provide a tuned oscillator tuning signal to a tuning port of the tuned oscillator and a modulator control signal to a control port of the phase modulator. In an exemplary implementation the error detection and feedback network includes a phase detector for generating the error signal in response to the phase difference between the RF output signal and the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Watkins-Johnson Company
    Inventor: Benedict J. Nardi